Erectile Dysfunction
Disorders / Erectile Dysfunction
What is Erectile Dysfunction?
Erectile dysfunction is a sexual health disorder in men, also known as impotence. The penile disorder hampers men’s sexual life as they fail to have and keep an erection for long during intercourse. The disorder can happen to anyone, at any time. But, not always it is an erectile disorder. Men may experience the issue sometimes. It’s a serious concern when the dysfunction is frequent. The health disorder can disrupt a man’s sexual as well as overall quality of life. When a man notices such disorder during their sexual activities, he must consult a medical professional and seek a viable solution. Verified medicines and treatments are available to treat the condition.
The fact and awareness that ED is treatable has brought a sense of relief among men. Viagra is one of the first medicines to treat the disorder. Men with ED often feel reluctant to visit a doctor, as sexual impotence is still considered a stigma in society worldwide. However, it’s vital to see a doctor when one notices similar symptoms every time.
Factors like blockage in blood flow, excessive stress and anxiety, a damaged nervous system, and hormonal ups and downs can result in erectile dysfunction. Majorly, ED is not the primary issue, but it’s a reflection of a more serious underlying health issue.
What Are the Causes of Erectile Dysfunction?
Physical Causes
Erectile Dysfunction is not always the core concern, but it’s a result of other latent root causes. The core reasons are primarily physical. Rarely, erectile dysfunction is the primary cause. A man should always consult an expert doctor if they experience constant erectile issues. A proper diagnosis can identify the core cause and treat the disorder effectively. The physical reasons behind ED include:
- Oldage (above 50)
- Cholesterol and high blood pressure
- Diabetes (Type 2)
- Cardiovascular disease
- Hormonal imbalance (testosterone and thyroid)
- Sedentary lifestyle and obesity
- Metabolic disorder
- Kidney disease
- Spinal cord or pelvic bone injuries
- Mental health illnesses like Parkinson’s
- Epilepsy
- Surgical complexities
- Addiction to smoking and drinking
- Penile injury or disorder
- Radiation therapy
Atherosclerosis breaks the smooth blood flow. The condition narrows down and blocks the penile arteries. Lack of consistent blood flow disrupts a firm, penile erection. Medicines for high blood pressure, cardiac disease, stress and anxiety, cancer, and hormonal fluctuations may cause erectile dysfunction in men.
Psychological Causes
Like physical reasons, psychological factors may also cause erectile dysfunction. Mental discord and low emotional state are also responsible for ED in men. In today’s fast lifestyle, psychological factors are also becoming common reasons behind sexual disorders in men. The core psychological reasons include,
- Anxiety and stress
- Depression
- Conflicts in relationships
- Fear of intimacy
- Stress at home and workplace
- Social and religious pressure
- High expectations from a partner during sex
Among all these, performance anxiety is one of the most common reasons behind penile disorders. In some cases, both physical and psychological factors can cause sexual dysfunction in men, where it becomes difficult to identify the actual reason. For instance, fluctuating blood flow can cause erectile dysfunction in a person with cardiac issues. At the same time, the person may have a stressful environment in his office, which adds more to the erectile disorder. But it’s difficult to identify the primary reason. Further research is needed. Some medications or therapies can also bring down a man’s libido, affecting the sexual function.
What Are the Symptoms of Erectile Dysfunction?
- Erectile failure even after arousal and stimulation
- Difficulty keeping an erection for long during intercourse
- Premature ejaculation
- Performance anxiety
- Excessive stress
- Lack of libidinal desire
- Low sex drive
- A feeling of shame and embarrassment
- Low self-worth
Other symptoms include,
When erectile dysfunction disturbs a man’s mental health and his bond with his partner, it needs medical attention. A proper health check-up, diagnosis, and effective treatment and therapy can resolve the issue and enhance vitality in men.
What Are the Causes of Erectile Dysfunction?
Erectile Dysfunction has been classified into several categories –
Vascular Erectile Dysfunction
In vascular erectile dysfunction, blood flow lacks consistency. When penile valves hold the blood inside, and a free blood flow doesn’t reach the penile region, it creates a blockage. Erection doesn’t happen in such cases.
Neurogenic Erectile Dysfunction
Neurogenic erectile dysfunction results from a nervous disorder. The brain fails to send signals to the penis to cause an erection. Reasons can be many. Those include trauma, stroke, sclerosis, pelvic operations, and radiation.
Hormonal Erectile Dysfunction
When a man suffers from testosterone deficiency, hormonal erectile dysfunction occurs. The dysfunction can also happen due to thyroid issues.
Psychogenic Erectile Dysfunction
Psychological conditions are responsible for psychogenic erectile dysfunction. Those include a man’s mood, emotions, thoughts, and behavior.
What Are the Treatment Options for Erectile Dysfunction?
It’s crucial to identify the reason behind ED. Only then can one get the effective treatment options. Your healthcare professional identifies the risk factors and prescribes the right treatment. Ways to fix erectile disorder in men by addressing the primary concerns.
- Taking care of heart health
- Maintaining a healthy diet
- Practicing meditation and physical exercise
- Avoiding addictive substances
- Nurturing a healthy bond with your partner
- Keeping body weight under control
Erectile dysfunction is common as you grow older. Besides, many other factors contribute to the disorder. Don’t feel ashamed or embarrassed. Notice the symptoms seriously. Understand your body’s way of signalling the problem. Talk to a healthcare professional to diagnose the root cause. An experienced healthcare provider prescribes potent medicinal and therapeutic solutions.
Most of the ED medications contain Viagra, Cialis, Stendra, etc., as the active salts. Viagra is a PDE5 inhibitor that improves erectile function, ensuring a smooth blood flow to the penis. Some salts are SSRIs (Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) that raise the serotonin levels in the brain and treat stress, anxiety, or other mental health concerns. Your doctor prescribes potent medicines and therapy with the right dosage to ensure you a healthy sex life.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does low testosterone cause ED?
In rare cases, low testosterone is the sole cause of erectile dysfunction. Low hormon level results in low libido at times, but does not result in ED.
What’s the most common reason for erectile dysfunction in men?
Vascular ill health is known to be among the most common reasons behind erectile dysfunction in men. Besides, Type 2 Diabetes and kidney problems are also responsible for ED.
What lifestyle changes can reduce the risk of erectile dysfunction?
Lifestyle changes like practicing exercise, losing weight, avoiding smoking and alcohol, maintaining a healthy diet, and conducting health checks at a certain interval effectively reduce the risk of erectile dysfunction.
Can ED be psychological?
Yes. Psychological factors are a big reason for ED. Performance anxiety is a major concern. Stress, anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues affect libido in men.
Does masturbation cause ED?
No. It’s a myth of all time. No research has ever established the fact that masturbation leads to erectile dysfunction. The reasons are either physical or psychological.